Body & Soul is the fourth and final thriller in the Frank Elder series by John Harvey. We were introduced to retired detective in 2004 with Flesh and Blood, followed by Ash and Bone (2005) and Darkness and Light (2006). Harvey is well known for his 14 jazz-influenced detective novels starring Charlie Resnick; he wrapped up that series in 2013. There was a 12 year break between the first three Elder novels and the finale in 2018, which could be part of the problem. While a competant novel, it is a disappointment for fans of the series.
Frank Elder is still living in retirement in Cornwall. When his daughter Kate visits, she seems thin and gaunt, he notices the rough bandages in her wrists. It has not been easy for Kate to overcome being kidnapped as a teenager in the first novel, and Elder feels the guilt of putting her in harms way. Now, she is attending Uni and modelling for art classes on the side. Friends recommend she pose for controversial artist Anthony Winter, though they warn her of his dark fantasies. He is drawn to the pain he sees in her and they have a tenuous affair. She is shocked to find the paintings she posed for embellished with themes of bondage or worse, triggering both her and Elder. Suddenly, he is found beaten to death in his studio, Kate the last to visit him. Elder is on the outside of the investigation as she is now the number one suspect. Hadley is the detective in charge, with her assistant Chris Phillips - both great characters who could have spun off into a new series.
They see it is not a random attack and investigate, while Elder is stunned to hear Kate's captor Adam Leach has escaped from prison, taunting Elder, and contacting his evil protege Shane Donald. Could Kate have killed in a psychological breakdown? or is she going to be another of Leach's victims?
Reviews agree this was not up to par, certainly not as strong as the others in the series. Something was missing, perhaps he felt he need to complete Elder's story, but it lacks vitality. The previous novels combined new crimes with unsolved cold cases. This focuses on Kate with police work on the side. Elder shares phone calls with his ex-wife Joanne, but the characters of the previous novels do not make an appearance.
Some people began with this novel - it's a mistake not to begin with Flesh and Blood for maximum effect. While the other three stand on their own, this finishes the story.
And what a finish. As I read, I knew this is the last Elder novel, but his fate was a real letdown; Frank deserved so much better than that.
And who killed the artist was pulled out of the air far too late for me, readers like to be involved with the story.
John Harvey was 66 when he began the Frank Elder novels, and finished this when he was 80, there is a long gap where he maybe felt like completing, but the momentum had passed. I was happier stopping with the first three, which I recommend.
Also reviewed by John Harvey:
Ash and Bone (Elder #2)
Darkness and Light (Elder #3)
2018 / Tradeback / 284 pages
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